title: Accelerometer load as a measure of activity profile in different standards of netball match play.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine differences in load/min (AU) between standards of netball match play.
  
  
  METHODS
  Load/ min (AU) representing accumulated accelerations measured by triaxial accelerometers was recorded during matches of 2 higher- and 2 lower-standard teams (N = 32 players). Differences in load/min (AU) were compared within and between standards for playing position and periods of play. Differences were considered meaningful if there was >75% likelihood of exceeding a small (0.2) effect size.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean (± SD) full-match load/min (AU) for the higher and lower standards were 9.96 ± 2.50 and 6.88 ± 1.88, respectively (100% likely lower). The higher standard had greater (mean 97% likely) load/min (AU) values in each position. The difference between 1st and 2nd halves' load/min (AU) was unclear at the higher standard, while lower-grade centers had a lower (-7.7% ± 10.8%, 81% likely) load/min (AU) in the 2nd half and in all quarters compared with the 1st. There was little intrastandard variation in individual vector contributions to load/min (AU); however, higher-standard players accumulated a greater proportion of the total in the vertical plane (mean 93% likely).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Higher-standard players produced greater load/min (AU) than their lower-standard counterparts in all positions. Playing standard influenced the pattern of load/min (AU) accumulation across a match, and individual vector analysis suggests that different-standard players have dissimilar movement characteristics. Load/min (AU) appears to be a useful method for assessing activity profile in netball.
authors.affiliation: School of Exercise Science, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Stuart J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Cormack
authors.forename: Renee L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Mitchell M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Mooney
authors.forename: Warren B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Brendan J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: O'Brien
mesh_terms: D056044:Actigraphy; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity; D012420:Running; D013177:Sports; D013997:Time Factors; D013996:Time and Motion Studies; D055815:Young Adult